It still doesn't feel quite right...
Although I'm unclear about the situation underground in Rehe City and haven't found anything unusual about the "Aquarius Director," looking at the female Cleaner's slightly depressed mood, Leon instinctively feels that the recent conversation was somewhat strange.
To be fair, as the "Uncle Grandfather" who has raised the female Cleaner, the Aquarius Director would surely know that news about the Three Earth Tribes and the Stone Marrow World would likely remind the female Cleaner of her mother's sacrifice back then.
Given the affection he's shown before for the female Cleaner, he would subconsciously try to reduce conversations on that topic, at most touching on the Slaughter King Association's goals to avoid linking it to past events, but the Aquarius Director did not do this.
Admittedly, the reason he spoke so much about the Three Earth Tribes and the Stone Marrow World might be for the benefit of me, the "reinforcement," wanting to provide useful information and explain the reasons behind it for handling this mission.
But looking at it from this angle, it contradicts his refusal to let me go down to support, only asking me to stay at the Aquarius Branch to help defend Rehe City.
After all, if he doesn't need my help, then I won't need to face the Three Earth Tribes and the Stone Marrow World, and thus, the information is unnecessary. So, why would he specifically stop to explain for so long at this crucial moment of chasing the Slaughter King Association? Is it because he's lonely and wants to chat online?
This Aquarius Director... Doesn't seem real!
Whether it's "grandparent-grandchild emotion" or "task mentality," the Aquarius Director's actions are odd, inevitably raising suspicion in Leon's heart, though he quickly shakes those thoughts away.
Simply put, if the Aquarius Director just now was fake, then why does he have the Aquarius Director's mirror? And why would he know about the female Cleaner's childhood?
The incongruity in the Aquarius Director's demeanor could be attributed to him being a compulsive chatterbox, but supposing he's a fake, there's no strong evidence to support that, so...
"Melly."
Calling out to the female Cleaner, Leon squints slightly and says:
"Can you call him back?"
"Huh? Call who?"
"I mean, aside from Director Baltro contacting you first, can you contact him in reverse?"
"I can... technically..."
The female Cleaner blinks in response, then asks in some confusion:
"But didn't you all just finish talking? Did you forget to ask him something?"
"Yes."
Since it's just a guess for now, Leon doesn't rush to explain his thoughts and instead nods, saying:
"I do have some questions about the Aquarius Branch that I need to consult Director Baltro about."
"Oh."
After responding, the female Cleaner rallies herself, takes out the small mirror again, and gently rubs the Aquarius emblem on the mirror's edge with her fingers.
Strangely, although the Aquarius Director had been talking to them just now, there's no response now. No matter how much the female Cleaner calls, there is no movement.
"Huh?"
After waiting a long time without seeing any response, the female Cleaner blinks in confusion and tries to contact again, while Leon, sitting beside her, sighs, realizing he may have guessed correctly.
Although it's still unclear why the "Aquarius Director" earlier had the Aquarius Director's mirror or why he would know about the female Cleaner's childhood, since he's suddenly unreachable, there's at least an eighty percent chance he's an imposter.
"Stop."
Waving his hand to stop the female Cleaner from trying a third "call," Leon turns to look at the three supporting Deputy Directors on the other side.
"That person just now, likely wasn't the real Lord Baltro."
"?!?!?"
Hearing Leon's words, the three Deputy Directors are shocked, while the female Cleaner widens her eyes, filled with anxiety as she says:
"Leon? Are you saying Uncle Grandfather, he..."
"Don't worry, Director Baltro, as the Yellow Road Director, even if the Star Palace's blessing weakens underground, he isn't someone a couple of True Gods could deal with easily. The chances of him being in danger are low."
After comforting the female Cleaner, Leon briefly explains the oddities and his line of reasoning, and then, with a serious face, he addresses the four who are half-convinced:
"In summary, we now have reason to suspect Director Baltro has encountered some trouble, possibly detained or temporarily trapped, so we must prepare for the worst-case scenario."
The worst-case scenario...
The three Deputy Directors exchange looks before the Cat Deputy Director carefully asks:
"Lord Leon, do you mean?"
"Director Baltro couldn't stop the Slaughter King Association people from entering the Earth's core, breaking the Zodiac Bureau's decade-long seal on the Stone Marrow World, releasing all the Three Earth Tribes inside. They might reenact the attack from ten years ago!"
At this point, Leon pauses, recalling the "Past Sign" given by the Aquarius Director after ascending the palace, which detailed four large-scale disasters in the coming year:
Ice Plains Nation Ashito, Hexagonal Mountains, underground Rehe City, Scorching Spring Molten River, Lu Bei Ying River.
The scenes I saw with the "Past Sign" far exceed the power limit of an average True God, possibly only caused by the release of the Three Earth Tribes from the Stone Marrow Worldβcapable of melting the Hexagonal Snow Mountain in one fell swoop, flooding the northern continent.
"We must take action immediately!"
After connecting the pieces of information and realizing the gravity of the situation, Leon says with a stern expression:
"Once the airship lands, we should split into two groups. Whale Division's Director Hofer and Cheetah Division's Director Leock will remain at the Aquarius Branch to fend off any attacks from the Slaughter King Association and protect the northern royal family members.
Meanwhile, Director Misha and I will head immediately to underground Rehe to try to thwart the Slaughter King Association's actions and rescue the possibly trapped Director Baltro! We can't rely on Director Baltro right now; it's up to us this time!"
"Szzz..."
As Leon urgently plans their actions, the female Cleaner's clothes bulge slightly, and the small mirror falls out again. The Aquarius Director's face appears unexpectedly in the mirror.
"What's up?"
Looking at the startled expressions in the mirror, the Aquarius Director blinks in surprise and asks.
"Is there something wrong? I was on the move just now and didn't hear anything happening."
"..."
"What's going on? Can't you say something? Why are you all silent?"
"..."
(β_β)(β_β)(β_β)(β_β)(οΏ’_οΏ’;)
